Liam held up the glistening slab of boar meat, turning it slowly in the firelight. The fat sizzled and popped, sending up a cloud of fragrant steam that made his stomach growl. But he needed to be clear about this first.

"Just so everyone knows," he said, his deep voice rumbling through the clearing, "this meat contains aphrodisiac properties. Strong ones."

Elizabeth and the others had already passed out in their sleeping bags and tents.

"Midnight will eat!" The small dragon girl transformed back into her human beast form and was practically vibrating with excitement on his shoulder, her blue hair brushing against his cheek as she leaned forward, eyes fixed on the meat. Her D-cup breasts pressed against his back, and Liam felt his pulse quicken despite his usual calm. "Midnight wants to help Master Liam!"

He glanced at her, taking in her petite but curvaceous form, the way her tail swished eagerly behind her. She was so small compared to his hulking frame, but there was no denying her beauty. The thought of what that meat might do to her made his mouth go dry.

"You sure about this?" Liam asked, his red eyes narrowing slightly. "That seems like a... significant effect."

"Midnight is very sure!" The dragon girl clapped her tiny hands together. "Midnight wants to be useful to Master!" She was already climbing down from Liam’s shoulders, her bare feet landing silently on the forest floor. She moved with a dancer’s grace, her substantial ass swaying hypnotically as she approached the fire.

Liam tore off a chunk of meat for her, then took a large bite himself. The flavour exploded across his tongue, rich, gamey, with an underlying sweetness that made his head spin. Almost immediately, he felt a warmth spreading through his chest, down into his belly, and lower.

"Wow," he muttered, watching as Midnight devoured her portion with enthusiastic little noises that made his already heating blood run hotter.

Liam’s attention was already fixed on Midnight, who was now watching him with wide, knowing eyes. Her pupils had dilated, the blue of her irises barely visible around the edges.

"Midnight feels... strange," she whispered, though her smile suggested she wasn’t unhappy about it. "Very warm."

Liam cleared his throat, acutely aware of his own growing discomfort. "I should set up the tent."

He moved with deliberate slowness, keeping his back to the others as he unfurled the canvas shelter. His hands felt clumsy, his skin too tight. The aphrodisiac was working faster than he’d expected, flooding his system with a need that made his head swim.

By the time he had the tent secured, Elizabeth and the others were already asleep around the dying fire, their breathing deep and even. Only Midnight remained awake, watching him with an intensity that made his heart pound.

"Master Liam," she said, her voice a purr that sent shivers down his spine. "Midnight thinks it’s time for bed."

Before he could respond, she slipped into the tent, and when he followed a moment later, his breath caught in his throat.

She was completely naked, her pale white skin glowing softly in the darkness. Her breasts rose and fell with each quick breath, her nipples already hard. Her generous hips and round ass created a silhouette that made his mouth go dry.

"Midnight is going to help Master," she said, her third-person speech somehow even more endearing in this moment. "Midnight is very excited."

Liam felt his face burning, his body responding with embarrassing enthusiasm. The aphrodisiac was fully in effect now, making his thoughts fuzzy and his desires crystal clear.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked, his voice rougher than usual. "You’ve never..."

"Midnight is sure," she replied, crawling toward him on the bedroll, her movements sinuous and deliberate. "Midnight wants to make Master feel good. Midnight has been waiting for this."

As she reached him, her small hands sliding up his chest, Liam knew that sleep would be the furthest thing from his mind tonight.

Liam felt a surge of protective instinct wash over him as Midnight’s small hands trembled against his chest. Despite her confident words, her eyes held a vulnerability that made his chest tighten. He recognised that look, the same one she’d had when Barbossa had kicked her from the guild, she looked bruised and terrified after escaping the Ruby Eye Guild.

"Wait," he said, his voice low and gentle.

Before she could protest, Liam gathered her into his arms. She was surprisingly light, her small frame fitting perfectly against his massive chest. He lowered her onto the bedroll, then positioned himself above her, one arm on either side of her head, caging her beneath him.

"Master?" Midnight’s blue eyes widened, her pupils fully dilated now. "Midnight is surprised."

Liam reached down with one hand and pulled his shirt over his head, revealing his heavily muscled torso. The firelight played across the defined planes of his chest and abdomen. Then he unfastened his pants, and his massive cock sprang free, thick and already fully erect.

Midnight gasped, her eyes dropping to his length. "Master is... very big," she whispered, her voice a mix of excitement and nervousness. She looked up at him, her expression suddenly shy. "This is Midnight’s first time. She will try her best to please Master."

Liam let out a dry laugh, the sound rumbling from his chest. "Who told you to call me that? Master?"

"Midnight likes how it sounds," she replied, her cheeks flushing pink. "It makes Midnight feel... safe."

The admission made something shift in Liam’s chest. He lowered himself, careful not to crush her small frame, and pressed his lips to her neck. She tasted sweet, like honey and something distinctly her. Her skin was impossibly soft beneath his mouth.

"Then I’ll be worthy of it," he murmured against her throat.

He trailed kisses down to her collarbone, feeling her pulse racing beneath his lips. When he reached the valley between her breasts, he paused, breathing in her scent, wildflowers and something musky that made his cock throb.

[TOOL TIP: MATING OVERLOAD]

Status: Tent Quarantine Active

The "Master" Title Buff: Midnight deploying the "Master" vocal modifier has bypassed Liam’s remaining [Deadpan Counter-Measures]. The system notes this verbal title grants a +200% Penetration Motivation while rendering his standard pancake shopping list entirely obsolete.

The Virgin Vanguard Safeguard: While Elizabeth and the rest of the guild are operating under the [Unconscious / Exhausted] debuff outside, the localised truffle oil scent has turned the interior bedroll into a Zero-Sanity Zone.

The First-Time Modifier: Midnight’s transition from an asset-heavy shoulder gargoyle to a vulnerable, trembling first-time consumer has converted Liam’s raw pork-belly aggression into a [Protective Overlord] aura. No recipes will be written for the next eight hours.